little. lovely. - Life's better when you add a little lovely.tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-812463477709596282014-08-19T18:50:48+10:00Life's better when you add a little lovely.TypePadAlphatisetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0120a51f715c970c01b7c6ce9acf970b2014-08-19T18:50:48+10:002014-08-19T18:50:48+10:00Sponsored by Nuffnang --- Lately, I’ve been really focused on improving my fitness. After talking to friends and family, I decided purchasing a FitBit would help keep me motivated. The only problem was I couldn’t find one on sale and didn’t want to fork out the full retail price. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I was introduced to a new free app, Alphatise. It allows you to nominate how much you want to pay for a product you want to buy and sellers can then choose to agree to the offer and you can grab a great deal. I...little. lovely.

Sponsored by Nuffnang

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Lately, I’ve been really focused on improving my fitness. After talking to friends and family, I decided purchasing a FitBit would help keep me motivated. The only problem was I couldn’t find one on sale and didn’t want to fork out the full retail price.

So, I was pleasantly surprised when I was introduced to a new free app, Alphatise. It allows you to nominate how much you want to pay for a product you want to buy and sellers can then choose to agree to the offer and you can grab a great deal. I love this app because it places power in our hands so we, the consumer, can set what we think is a fair price for products we want.

(As a side note, I think this is especially important here, in Australia, when we’re often charged more for products than our International counterparts.)

The best part is that the app gives you an indication of how realistic your ideal amount to pay is – from very unlikely to very likely – so you can gauge your chances of success.

There’s also really cool functionality like stats that allows you to see the average wish value, number of wishes and offers for any product. You can also share your activity on social media so your friends and family can take advantage of deals you find.

I totally loved how easy the app was to use and had great fun adding items to my wishlist. Just be careful – the app is completely addictive! The app is really well designed and before you know it, you’ll have a wishlist full of items you’d love to own.

Childhood is fleetingtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0120a51f715c970c01a3fd1f8db5970b2014-06-17T13:42:17+10:002014-06-17T13:42:17+10:00This morning, Hunter walked into the kitchen and looked at me through bleary eyes. "Hi, my name is Olaf and I like warm hugs," he said before throwing his arms around my waist. I stood, cradling is head against me, my heart so full I thought it would burst. Instantly, I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that these moments won't last forever. And it made me sad. I thought forward to that point in my life when Hunter and Charlotte will both be grown and longed for the life I'm living right now. It was happy, sad and bittersweet. I...little. lovely.

This morning, Hunter walked into the kitchen and looked at me through bleary eyes.

"Hi, my name is Olaf and I like warm hugs," he said before throwing his arms around my waist. I stood, cradling is head against me, my heart so full I thought it would burst. Instantly, I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that these moments won't last forever. And it made me sad.

I thought forward to that point in my life when Hunter and Charlotte will both be grown and longed for the life I'm living right now. It was happy, sad and bittersweet.

I find myself wishing again and again that I could freeze life where it is. Where my children are young and long to be close to me. Where my husband is strong and funny and kind and we can all spend as much time as we like together. Where I'm old enough to realise how lucky I am to have the life that I have, but young enugh to still have much of it ahead of me.

Childhood is so precious and so fleeting that I want to try and hold onto it. The funny expressions, the warm hugs, the time together, so that it's still there when I need it in the future. I don't want life to change and yet I know with certainty it will.

Being a parent to small children can be tough, but it's the most wonderful experience and I wish it could continue forever.

How to choose your baby's nametag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0120a51f715c970c01a511ce5e02970c2014-06-16T16:27:02+10:002014-06-16T16:28:19+10:00If you're looking for some help choosing a name for your baby why not try this Celebrity Baby Name Generator? If we were famous, Hunter would be Harrison Wave and Charlotte would be Apple Venus. Also, find out how popular your kid's names are with Times Magazine's Baby Name Predictor. [Image credit]little. lovely.

If you're looking for some help choosing a name for your baby why not try this Celebrity Baby Name Generator? If we were famous, Hunter would be Harrison Wave and Charlotte would be Apple Venus.

Would you let your children share a bedroom?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0120a51f715c970c01a73dd69912970d2014-06-11T18:08:28+10:002014-06-11T18:08:28+10:00Hunter and Charlotte have their own rooms but lately they have been asking to share a room. Specifically, they want a room with bunk beds. Sleeping has always been an issue in our house so now that they both sleep in their own rooms (and sleep through the night) we're reluctant to change things up. I also should admit that my reluctance comes from intuition that their desire to share a room is purely linked to the said bunk bed and will quickly fade once they are faced with the reality of, well, sharing. I'll admit that I do like...little. lovely.

Hunter and Charlotte have their own rooms but lately they have been asking to share a room. Specifically, they want a room with bunk beds. Sleeping has always been an issue in our house so now that they both sleep in their own rooms (and sleep through the night) we're reluctant to change things up.

I also should admit that my reluctance comes from intuition that their desire to share a room is purely linked to the said bunk bed and will quickly fade once they are faced with the reality of, well, sharing.

I'll admit that I do like the idea of turning (what would become) the spare bedroom into a playroom dedicated to housing the children's toys, especially because it would be upstairs and I could close the door but I'm slightly daunted by the thought of decorating a room shared by genders.

So I'd love your advice. Do your kids share a room? How do you make it work? Have you successfully decorated a room for boys and girls?

Realities of Motherhoodtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0120a51f715c970c01a3fd1a6e2d970b2014-06-09T20:45:37+10:002014-06-09T20:45:37+10:00(I like to throw on a frock and get messy in the kitchen with the kids #realitiesofmotherhood) I've mentioned before that I was late to the Instagram party. I've gradually started to follow many of my favourite (on and offline) people and love dropping in to see what they're up to. (We did so much research on which pram to buy. In the end we chose this one for its versatility. It's perfect for catching the tube. #realitiesofmotherhood) Recently, I started following an Instagrammer who literally makes me laugh out loud. Realities of Motherhood 'exposes the myths of motherhood' by...little. lovely.

(I like to throw on a frock and get messy in the kitchen with the kids #realitiesofmotherhood)

I've mentioned before that I was late to the Instagram party. I've gradually started to follow many of my favourite (on and offline) people and love dropping in to see what they're up to.

(We did so much research on which pram to buy. In the end we chose this one for its versatility. It's perfect for catching the tube. #realitiesofmotherhood)

Recently, I started following an Instagrammer who literally makes me laugh out loud. Realities of Motherhood 'exposes the myths of motherhood' by adding hilarious commentary to the celebrity mother photos we love to hate.

(Because YES, not only will I return to work straight away with 2 tiny children, but I will be able to wear white again and regain my size 2 figure which I never had #realitiesofmotherhood)

If you're on Instagram, I highly recommend following this feed for some tongue-in-cheek humour. It's a perfect antidote to a lousy mummy moment.

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Are you on Instagram? If so, leave your username below so I can meet you there.

The Lovely List tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0120a51f715c970c01a73dd0cea1970d2014-06-06T11:41:01+10:002014-06-06T11:41:01+10:00It's the Queen's Birthday long weekend in Australia this weekend. Mike doesn't arrive home from Aruba until Tuesday, so I'll be flying solo with the kids and have several birthday parties plus a playdate with friends planned to keep us busy. If you're looking for added inspiration or a little bit of lovely why not: - Dress your tech. (I currently have the above image on my iPhone and laptop.) - Join Pippit? (I'm @khaliwhatley - see you there!) - Check out this XO gold foil print set - Or this baby blanket - Look at this mini tent for...little. lovely.

It's the Queen's Birthday long weekend in Australia this weekend. Mike doesn't arrive home from Aruba until Tuesday, so I'll be flying solo with the kids and have several birthday parties plus a playdate with friends planned to keep us busy. If you're looking for added inspiration or a little bit of lovely why not:

Personalised family portraitstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0120a51f715c970c01a511c69d7f970c2014-06-05T09:00:00+10:002014-06-05T09:00:00+10:00Hunter and Charlotte have their own small section of the downstairs in our house known as 'the kids' area'. (Original, no?!) It's an unusual shape and a bit of a challenge to decorate. Since moving here almost twelve months ago I've arranged and re-arranged the furniture more times than I care to count. The last switch happened a little over a week ago and I finally feel settled with the choices I've made. Since settling on the placement of couches, television and toy storage I've turned my attention to the walls. The three seater sofa sits against a large expanse...little. lovely.

Hunter and Charlotte have their own small section of the downstairs in our house known as 'the kids' area'. (Original, no?!) It's an unusual shape and a bit of a challenge to decorate.

Since moving here almost twelve months ago I've arranged and re-arranged the furniture more times than I care to count. The last switch happened a little over a week ago and I finally feel settled with the choices I've made.

Since settling on the placement of couches, television and toy storage I've turned my attention to the walls. The three seater sofa sits against a large expanse of walls and I'm keen to fill it gallery style.

During my search for perfect prints to compliment family photos, I stumbled across these darlingcustom family portraits by Henry James Paper Goods. They're just so stinking cute I can barely contain my enthusiasm to have one created.

Baby (on the) braintag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0120a51f715c970c01a3fd160f05970b2014-06-03T13:55:05+10:002014-06-03T13:55:05+10:00[The photo above was taken on our trip to Bali in 2012.] --- Growing up, I always thought I would have a large family. I'm one of four children and loved having siblings. (Unless you ask my mother who says I always complained I wanted to be an only child!) I also come from a very large, extended family and after a childhood filled with wonderful memories of being surrounded by children my own age, it seemed natural to want the same when I started a family. Mike's only one of two children so when we started planning for children,...little. lovely.

[The photo above was taken on our trip to Bali in 2012.]

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Growing up, I always thought I would have a large family. I'm one of four children and loved having siblings. (Unless you ask my mother who says I always complained I wanted to be an only child!)

I also come from a very large, extended family and after a childhood filled with wonderful memories of being surrounded by children my own age, it seemed natural to want the same when I started a family.

Mike's only one of two children so when we started planning for children, we thought three would be a good number.

Then, Hunter and Charlotte came along sixteen months apart. Their quick succession, combined with other challenges meant we decided that two might be the perfect number for us.

But...

Just recently, I've been filled with the overwhelming sense that our family isn't quite complete. It's such a strong emotion that it sometimes catches me completely offguard. Mike and I have discussed the possibility of another baby, but at the moment, he's content with our little family just the way it is.

I've spoken to a couple of close friends about my longing for another baby and have realised that the decisions behind choosing how many children you have are intensely personal. Some people seem to have always known how many children they would have and for others, it's a very fluid decision.

So I'm interested to hear from you - have you always known how many children you wanted to have or has the number changed as you have entered different phases of your life?

Smokkstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0120a51f715c970c01a73dce3ba5970d2014-05-30T15:35:01+10:002014-05-30T15:42:48+10:00There's something about having a well designed 'to go' outfit that really appeals to me. It takes the inevitable panic out of those I'm-not-going-to-be-home-and-my-children-may-dress-like-homeless-people moments mothers sometimes have. Or is that just me? My heart immediately skipped a beat when I stumbled upon Smokks; a range of dresses for mothers and daughters alike. Made from gorgeous Liberty prints they're perfect as is or layered over warmer items. I'm looking forward to adding some of these gorgeous staples to Charlotte's wardrobe.little. lovely.

There's something about having a well designed 'to go' outfit that really appeals to me. It takes the inevitable panic out of those I'm-not-going-to-be-home-and-my-children-may-dress-like-homeless-people moments mothers sometimes have. Or is that just me?

My heart immediately skipped a beat when I stumbled upon Smokks; a range of dresses for mothers and daughters alike. Made from gorgeous Liberty prints they're perfect as is or layered over warmer items.

I'm looking forward to adding some of these gorgeous staples to Charlotte's wardrobe.

Free Spec-tacular Valentine's Day craft printabletag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0120a51f715c970c01a511636b0b970c2014-02-13T07:05:27+11:002014-05-30T15:44:02+10:00This year, as I prepared for Valentine’s I knew I wanted to come up with a craft that was fun but didn’t include chocolate or sweets. (You can learn more about why here.) Now that both of my children are at school (and knowing they would want to make gifts for their classmates) I also wanted a craft they could make on their own – or with minimal assistance. My Spec-tacular Valentine’s Day glasses fit the bill and were inspired by my four year old who just loves wearing sunglasses. You can find complete instructions over at B:Kids. Click here...little. lovely.

This year, as I prepared for Valentine’s I knew I wanted to come up with a craft that was fun but didn’t include chocolate or sweets. (You can learn more about why here.)

Now that both of my children are at school (and knowing they would want to make gifts for their classmates) I also wanted a craft they could make on their own – or with minimal assistance.

My Spec-tacular Valentine’s Day glasses fit the bill and were inspired by my four year old who just loves wearing sunglasses.